Diamond Hill, Cumberland, RI
Main Cliff Closed to Climbing
Diamond Hill was once a state park and a state run ski area on the east
side of RT 114. It was sold to the town of Cumberland for $1 by the
state and is no longer a state park. Due to perceived liability issues
the town bans any recreational use of the land, including sledding,
skiing, and climbing. The parking area and the approach to the cliff is
not posted with no climbing signs but the main entrance to the former
state park is. There is a house now sitting on top of the cliff. (photo below.)
The cliffs at Diamond Hill average 40 to 60 feet in height and it was
the best climbing area in the state. It has a long history of climbing.
An out-of-print guidebook entitled A
Climber's Guide to DIAMOND HILL Cumberland, R.I. was
written by Ron Rocha and Allan Li in 1980 and is republished here
with the permission of the author. Catamint Quarry (below) is on RI state land is open to climbing.
Catamint Quarry, Cumberland, RI
This
small crag is located in Diamond Hill State Park on the west side of RT
114. Access is tricky to find. Access is by a road that looks like a
driveway south of the Abbot Valley Vet Clinic. Park at the Diamond Hill
town park parking lot on the east side of Diamond Hill Road (114) and
walk across the street. Walk down the side road to a chain across a
dirt road and follow the dirt road past a house. You'll feel as though
you're trespassing and the chain across the trail's start, apparently
to discourage vehicles, isn't exactly welcoming.but this is state land
and a public right-of-way, not private. This was confirmed by the RI
DEM. They plan on eventually building a parking area here. The cliff is
about 60 feet long and 25 feet high and is a great place to bring kids
as there are abundant holds.
